Treatment and Interventions for Those With Asperger's Syndrome

The purpose of treatment and interventions for Asperger's Syndrome is to give a child the best chance to improve his or her abilities to interact with others. The treatment will be tailored to the specific child, as each person with Asperger's Syndrome will have differences in the number and the severity of symptoms. The treatment plan will also revolve around the family's available resources. The treatment plan and interventions are designed around the symptoms exhibited by the individual with the syndrome.

Families with children that have been diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome can secure services by contacting the local school district, or by contacting organizations for Asperger's Syndrome. Federal laws require that public schools provide educational services that are appropriate for individuals with disabilities including those who have Asperger's Syndrome that are between the ages of 3 and 21. There may also be certain state and local laws pertaining to the education of those with special needs. The school personnel will identify goals by initiating and designing an Individualized Education Program known as an IEP. The IEP will be specific to the particular need of the student with special needs such as Asperger's Syndrome. The IEP will be designed based on the evaluation of the level of disability.

Typical school programs that may be set up to meet the needs of those students with Asperger's Syndrome include smaller groups or classrooms, a communication specialist to work on social training, opportunities for structured social interactions, individualized curriculum, and an assigned counselor to help the child cope with emotional issues encountered during school.

Treatment:

The treatment plan will involve therapies to improve communication, social skills, and behavioral management. Activity-oriented groups and focused counseling may also be offered. The treatment plan may also include other conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), social anxiety disorder, and depression. These conditions often coexist with Asperger's Syndrome and must also be addressed when treating the individual. These conditions may require therapy or therapy in combination with medications.

Ongoing research continues in an attempt to discover the cause or causes and any preventative measures that may be taken.

Home Treatment:

Those who care for a child with Asperger's Syndrome including parents, other family members, babysitters and other caregivers should seek education regarding Asperger's Syndrome so that they can better understand the individual with Asperger's Syndrome and be better equipped to assist the individual in learning new coping skills. Speak with the individual's physician to locate resources for education about Asperger's Syndrome and also contact organizations for Asperger's Syndrome.

Children with Asperger's Syndrome typically respond better when they have daily routines and rules that are consistent. They are able to respond better to verbal communications rather than to non-verbal communication.

When teaching someone with Asperger's Syndrome it might be beneficial to teach in parts that build up to the big picture instead of trying to present the entire concept at once. They also respond well to visual supports such as schedules, charts and other organizational aids. It is important to be aware of sensory stimuli in the learning environment like ticking clocks, humming machines and fluorescent lighting; all of these things are sensory distractions that make it more difficult for the individual to learn.